The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has issued an important circular dated September 16, 2025, providing relief to government employees facing technical difficulties in submitting their Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) requests online. This crucial update ensures no employee misses the September 30, 2025 deadline.
Official Government Text:
PENSION FUND REGULATORY AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Circular
September 16, 2025
Circular No: PFRDA/2025/10/SUP-CG-SG/03
To,
All the stakeholders of NPS and UPS
Subject: Physical submission of UPS requests to nodal offices till 30.09.2025 – reg.
Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) has been notified by Central Government vide notification F. No. FX-1/3/2024-PR, dated 24.01.2025 issued by Dept. of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance. PFRDA (Operationalization of the Unified Pension Scheme under NPS) Regulations, 2025 has also been notified on 19.03.2025. Further, Central Civil Services (Implementation of Unified Pension Scheme under National Pension System) Rules, 2025 have been notified by DoPPW on 02.09.2025.
- As the due date for exercising the option for UPS is approaching, i.e., 30th September, 2025, it is hereby brought to the notice of all subscribers that, if due to any reason including unavailability of online system or any technical glitch in the CRA system due to which the subscriber is unable to submit the UPS request online through CRA system by 30th September 2025, the subscriber can submit the duly filled physical form to the concerned nodal office on or before the due date for further processing by the nodal office. The physical forms of UPS are available at https://www.npscra.nsdl.co.in/ups.php
- This circular is issued in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 14 of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 2013 and shall be effective immediately.
(Vikas Kumar Singh)
Chief General Manager
Key Summary Points:
- Relief for Technical Issues: Employees facing online submission problems can now use physical forms
- Deadline Remains Same: September 30, 2025 is still the final date for UPS option exercise
- Where to Get Forms: Physical UPS forms available at https://www.npscra.nsdl.co.in/ups.php
- Submission Process: Submit duly filled forms to concerned nodal office before deadline
- Legal Authority: Issued under Section 14 of PFRDA Act, 2013
Impact for Government Employees:
This circular provides crucial relief for employees who may face technical difficulties with the online CRA system. It ensures that no eligible government employee loses the opportunity to opt for UPS due to system glitches or connectivity issues. The physical submission option acts as a backup mechanism to guarantee universal access to this important pension choice.
For more information on 8th Pay Commission pension updates and Unified Pension Scheme benefits, stay connected with our comprehensive coverage of government employee welfare policies.
Reference: PFRDA Circular No: PFRDA/2025/10/SUP-CG-SG/03 dated September 16, 2025